Pakistani songwriter Arooj Aftab is approaching the release of her new album Night Reign at the end of this month and has today shared a new single from it called “Whiskey”. She says:
“‘Whiskey’ is about being out at night with someone you like, but the evening gets a little carried away. My friend has had too much, now I am tired, and I need to figure out how to get us both home. But overall somehow the night and the interaction is still pretty cute.”
There’s a Jeff Buckley-esque romance to the way Aftab sings about the effects of alcohol and the silly attraction that arises from a heady dose and close contact. “Your head gets heavy and rests on my shoulder ’cause you drink too much whiskey when you’re with me,” she teases, but soon changes her tone to “I think I’m ready to give into your beauty and let you fall in love with me”. Harp and guitar flutter all around this moment, while subtle drumming pushes the pulse. The glory of the evening eventually subsumes Aftab and her admirer, the song transitioning into a gliding reverie as she sings “we fade into the night on waves of your perfume / I’m drunk and you’re insane.” Despite the recklessness of the tale, there is nothing but poise in Aftab’s delivery and the arrangement that cushions the whole scene.
Watch the video for “Whiskey” below or find the song on streamers.
Arooj Aftab’s new album Night Reign arrives on 31 May through Verve Records (pre-order/save).
